Micropalaeontology of Core and Cutting Samples from water bores and shallow stratigraphic holes in the Northern Eromanga Basin, Queensland

Transcription

1 Record No I Micropalaeontology of Core and Cutting Samples from water bores and shallow stratigraphic holes in the Northern Eromanga Basin, Queensland by 6.R.J. Terpstra BMR Record 1970/34 c.4

2 MJ;,CROPALAEONTOLOGY OF CORE AND CUTTING SAMPLES 'FROM..1lATER ~Q.,.~. 11L..~'-RALLOW STRATIGRAPHIC HOLES IN THE NORTHERN EROMANGL~AS]N ".' QUEENSLAND by G.R.J. Terpstra Records No. 1970/34 Contents Pa.ge SUMMARY INTR,ODUCTION Bore of Antrim Station StoCk.Route Bore, Essex Station Wai;er Bore at Glenal von Homestead Hazelwood Stock Route Bore Muddan Stock Route Bore Navista Stock Route Bore BvM.Ro Shallow Stratigraphi.c Hole Richmond No o 1 B.M.Ro Shallow Stratigraphic Hole Richmond No. 2 STRATIGRAPHY. LIST OF SPECIES IDENTIFIED REFEREN"CES 1 1 "J 2... ~ The information contained in trus report has been obtained bj' the Department of National Development as. part of the policy of the Commonwealth Gove~ent to assist in the exploration and development of mineral resources. It may not be publishei in ar~ form or used in a company prospectus or statement witr~. out. the permission in writing of the Director, Bureau. of ]lineral Resources, Geology & GeophysicsQ

3 MIQRQ.PALAEONTOLOGY OF CORE AND CUTTING SAMPLES FROM WATER BORl';i ~SHALLOW STRATIGRAPHIC HOLES IN THE NORTHERN EROMANGA BASIN QUEENSLAND by G.R.J. Terpstra Records No. 1970/34 Core and cutting samples ha.ve been examined from eight bore holes in the Eromanga Basin Queensland. Microfossil assemblages indicating Albian, Lm.er Albian and Aptian ages have been obser""led. COI-xelation with strata dated by macrofossils was obtained. :MicropalaeontologicaJ. examination of 350 cl.ltting samples fr.jm water bores No o (Antrim Station); No o (Essex Station); No (Glenalvon Homestead); No (Hazelwood Station) ; Noo (Muddan Station); No (Navista Station) and of 40 core samples from B.M.R. Shallow Stratigraphic Holes Ri.cbmond. Nos i and 2, situated i..yl. Queensland~ has been completed. The results which are mainly of a stratigraphical nature, have been representeu on distribution charts (Nos. 1-8) prepared separately for each bore; a map showing the locations of the bores i.s attached. (Fig.. 1) 0 ~gre of Antrim Stagon (No Q!i) This bore was drilled to a total depth of 2398 feet. Cuttings were available for examination from 0~170 feet; 890 feet- 900 feet; 1360feet-1370 feet and 1500 feet-2270 feet.

4 logs is2 The stratigraphical sequence p based on gamma-ray and driller's 0_220i Mackunda Formation 220' t Allaru Mudstone 855'-903' Toolebuc Limestone 903'-1495' Wallumbilla Formation i495c~239ai Hooray Sandstone and older terrestrial sediments. Microfossils (Foraminifera) indicating an Alb~an age occur i:o. i.;h8 interval feeto feet ~s The sample examined from 890 feet-900 barren of foraminifera, but contains Inoceramus prisms. Megaspores occur in the sample of 1360 feet-1310 feet but no fossils were found between 1500 feet-2210 feet. - The detailed distribution of the microfossils is shown on o ohs.:rt No 0 Stock Rou.te Bore, Essex Station (No ) '- This bo!.'e was drilled to a total depth of 2007 feet. Cut;-t:i.ng samples vrere available for examination from 0 to 2000 feet, taken at regu.lar intervals of 10 feet. The stratigraphical. sequence based on lithological examin Q,tion of the cuttings is e 0_100' (approx) Mackunda Formation 100'-1050' ( II) Allaru. Mudstone 1050' ( Ii) Toolebuc Limestone ( to) Wallumbilla Formation 1600'-2007' Hooray Sandstone

5 ^ Nicrofossils (Foraminifera) occur from feet and indicate Ihe following age intervals: C-1150 feet Albian feet Lower Albian feet Aptian No. 2. The detailed distribution of the microfossils is shown on chart Water bore at Gienalvon Homestead (.12 2_ 1.ja0 Location cE; S0 This bore was drilled to a total depth of 3010 feet. Cuttings. were available for examination from feet taken at regular intervals of 10 feet. The stratigraphical sequence based on the gamma-ray log is.0. 1.,690 1^Allaru Mudstone 690c-723:^Toolebuc Limestone : 1 Wallumbilla Formation g Hooray Sandstone and older terrestrial sediments. Microfossils (Foraminifera) occur from feet and indicate the following age intervals: Albian 730,c-340t^Lower Albian t Aptian chart No. 3. The detailed distribution of the microfossils is shown on

6 ^ eiwood Stock Route Bor _2_ I5j11) Location 143 o 00'E; 20 o 27 1 S. This bore has been drilled to a total depth of 712 feet. Cutting samples were available for examination from feet taken at regular intervals of 10 feet. nearby bores is: The stratigraphical sequence based on correlation with 0-500' (approx) Wallumbilla Formation '^Longsight Sandstone Eicrofossils. (Foraminifera) occur from feet and indicate the following age intervals: 0-70 feet Lower Albian feet Aptian chart No 4. The detailed distribution of the microfossils is shown on MUddan Stock Route Bore_iNcl._1_1321) Location E; This bore has been drilled to a total depth of 773 feet. Cuttings were available for examination from feet, taken at ar intervals of 10 feet. of the cuttings is: The stratigraphic sequence based on lithological examination 0-401^(approx) Toolebuc Limestone ^40!...610f^( ) Wallumbilla Formation !^'Hooray Sandstone and older terrestrial sediments,

7 -5- Microfossils (Foraminifera) occur from feet and indicate the following age intervals: feet Albian feet Lower Albian feet Aptian The detailed distribution of the microfossils is shown on chart No, 5. Navista Stock Route Bore (E424_15416) Location E; S. This bore was drilled to a total depth of 1066 feet. Cutting.samples were available for examination from 0 to 1000 feet, taken at regular intervals of 10 feet. The stratigraphical sequence based on the gamma ray log is: Allaru Mudstone Toolebuo Limestone Wdllumbilla Formation Longsight Sandstone Microfossils (Foraminifera) occur from feet and indicate the following age intervals: feet Albian feet Lower Albian The detailed distribution of the microfossils is shown on chart No 6.

8 ^ B.M.R. Shallow Stratigraphic Hole ^No Location E; 20 47'S. This bore was drilled to a total depth of 280 feet and continuously cored from 80 to 280 feeto The stratigraphic sequence based on lithological examination of the cores (Vine and Galloway, 1969) is: Ot-130t Ranmoor Member ^Jones Valley Member^Wallumbilla Formation ^147t.-,280 1^Doncaster Member Nicrofossils (Foraminifera) oczur in the interval 80 to 280 feet and indicate the following age intervals: feet Lower Albian feet Aptian chart Vb. 7. The detailed distribution of the microfossils is shown on BOMORO ShajlaStr.alieuxbicaleRislalond No. q Location tE; 20 38tS. This bore was drilled to a total depth of 260 feet and continuously cored from feet. Lithological examination of the cores (Vine and Galloway, 1969) showed that the hole was drilled entirely in the Doncaster Member of the Wallumbilla formation.

9 Microfossils (Foraminifera) occur in the interval feet and indicate an Aptian age for this interval. The detailed distribution of the microfossils is shown on chart No. 8. It is always difficult to give a close age correlation of local microfaunal assemblages with the European standard nomenclature. This standard nomenclaturetia based on the occurrence of macrofossils, for the Lower Cretaceous on Ammonites. In this respect it is fortunate that macrofossil evidence is available from two of the bores that were examined: Richmond Vb. 1 and No. 2 (Day, App. in Vine & Galloway, 1969.). In Richmond No. 1 the macrofossils indicate a Lower Alhian age for the interval of feet and an Aptian age for the interval of 151 to 277 feet. This evidence of the approximate position of the AlbiarVAptian boundary based on the occurrence of Ammonites can now be related directly to the foraminiferal faunas examined from the same strata. Distribution chart No. 7 of Richmond No. 1 shows a distinct LII 7orofauna,1 break at 110 feet. This is 44 feet above the highest level in this bore where Aptian Macrofossils were found and approymately 15 feet below the lowest level where macrofossils of Lower Albian age occur. The microfaunal assemblage occurring at 110 feet in Richmond No. 1 is taken as indicative for the top of the Aptian sequence. Several species occur in this assemblage which elsewhere have been found to be restricted to Aptian sediments. Day (1964 and 1969) mentions the occurrence of Lower Albian Nacrofossils from claystones 40 to 50 feet above highest Aptian fossils. It would appear that a similar interval lacking of diagnostic Nacrofossils, exists in Richmond No. 1 and that within this interval the AlbiarṾ.Aptian boundary can be established closer on Eicrofossils.

10 On the Distribution Charts of the other. bores, where possible - three age subdivisions have been made Albian 2, Lower Albian 3. Aptian All specimens examined have been compared with the types of the B.M.R. collections and those of the collections kept by the Nines Department in Adelaide, S.A. Slides with specimens identified after comparison with the Adelaide Type Collections have been deposited in the B.M.R. collection In order to compare the stratigraphical ranges of various species, arrived at by Crespin, 1963 and Ludbrook, 1966, a list has been prepared of all the species identified in the samples from the eight bores. In this list is indicated U.W. (Upper Wilgunya) or L.W. (Lower Wilgunya) and L.C. (Lower Cretaceous) referring to.crespin 1963, and Alb (Albian), or Apt (Aptian) referring to Ludbrook 1966, for the ranges of these species. It is to be noted that the stratigraphical ranges of the age of certain species, as given by Ludbrook 1966, are based mainly on material from South Australia. Evans (1967), comparing his palynological zoning with the stratigraphical results of Ludbrook, is of the opinion that in South Australia the top of the Aptian is taken higher than in other parts of the Artesian Basin. Evans opinion is supported by the position, of the Albian/Aptian boundary based on macrofossils,_which has here been related directly to the microfossil assemblages.

11 List_of Species Identified Ammobaculites australis^apt. Ammobaculites disparilis^apt. Ammobaculites erectus^alb. Apt. Ammobaculites fisheri^alb. Apt. Ammobaculites fragmentarius^l.w. Ammobaculites implanus^alb. Apt. Ammobaculites minimus^alb. Apt. Ammobaculites succinctus^l.c. Ammobaculites torosus ^L.W. Ammobaculites wallalensis^l.c. Ammobaculoides romaensis^apt. Ammodiscus cretaceus^alb. Apt. Anomalinoides mawsoni^apt. Astacolus howchini^ Apt. Bigenerina loeblichae^apt. Dentalina hamiltonensis^alb - Apt. Dentalina santoodnae^apt. Dorothya pupa^ M. Alb. Apt. Flabellanmina alexanderi^l.w. Gaudryina kurillinensis ^Alb. Gavelinella parvula^l. Alb. Apt. Globulina lacrima^ Alb. Apt. Haplophragmoides arenatus^l.w. Haplophragmoides audax^base Alb, Apt. Haplophragmoides chapmani^alb, M U Apt. Haplophragmoides dickinsoni^l.w. - Haplophragmoides perturbans^l M. Alb. Haplophragmoides wilgunyaensis ^L.W. Hedbergella infracretacea ^Alb. Hoeglundina australiensis^alb. Apt. HYPerammina barksdalei^l.c. Lenticulina australiensis^?alb. Apt.

12 -10- Lenticulina ganderbookaensis^apt. Lenticulina longicostata^apt. Marginulinopsis arimensis^l. Alb. - U. Apt. Marginulinopsis australis^apt. Marginulina subcretacea ^'Apt. Nodosaria of flexocarinata^alb. Apt. Praebulimina hergottensis^apt. Praebulimina innaminckae ^Alb. r. Apt. Pseudobolivina engeninensis^apt. Pseudobolivina oodnadattensis^base Alb - Apt. Psammosphaera parva^apt. Ramulina tetrahedralis^alb. Apt. Reophax geniculatus^alb. Apt. Reophax toras^ L.W. Saccammina alexanderi Saccammina lagenoides ^Alb. Apt. Saracenaria kattarensis^alb. Apt. Saracenaria warella^alb. r Apt. Spiroplectammina aequabilis^l.w. Textularia kurillinensis ^Alb. Apt. Textularia wilgunyaensis^apt. Triplasia australiae Trochammina delicatula Trochammina minuta^ Alb. Apt. Valvulineria crespinae^alb. Apt. Verneuilina howchini^alb. Apt.

13 References CRESPIN, I., Some Lower Cretaceous Foraminifera from bores in the Great Artesian Basin, northern N.S.W. J. and Proc. Roy. Soc. N.S.W., 76, CRESPIN, I., 1953 Lower Cretaceous Foraminifera from the Great Artesian Basin, Australia. Contr. Cushman Found. Foram. Res. 4 (i), CRESPIN, I., Lower Cretaceous arenaceous Foraminif era of Australia. Bur. Miner. Res. Aust. Bull., 66. CUSHMAN, J.A Some Foraminifera from the Cretaceous of Canada. Trans. RO. SOC. Canada. 3 (21) 4. CUSHMAN, J.A., 1928 Additional genera of the Foraminifera. Contr. Cushman. Lab. foram. Res. 4 (1), 1.5. DAY, R.W., App. in VINE, R.R., and GALLMAY, M.C., Shallow Stratigraphio Drilling, Northern EromanGa Bas -in Bur. Miner. Resour. Aust. Rec /20. DAY, R.W. App. in, VINE, R.R., CASEY, D.J., and JOHNSON, N.E.A., 1964., Progress report, 1963 on the Geology of Part of the N.E. Eromanga Basin Queensland. Bur, Miner. Resour. Aust. Rec. 1964/39. DAY, R.W., The Lower Cretaceous of the Great.Artesian Basin, (in Stratigraphy and Palaeontology Essays in honour of Dorothy Bill). A.N.U. Press, Canberra. EVANS, P.R., and HAWKINS, P.J., The Cretaceous, below the Murray Basin. Bur. Miner. Resour. Aust. Rec. 1967/37.

14 -1 2- GLAESSNER, M.F., 1937 Moscow University studies in Micropalaeontology 1. HOWCH1N, W., Two new species of Cretaceous Foraminifera. Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Australia, 19, KHAN, M.H., On some New Foraminifera from the Lower Gault of Southern England. J. Roy. Micro. Soc. 70 Series LUDBROOK, N.H., Cretaceous Biostratigraphy of the Great Artesian Basin in S.A, De t. Nines. Geol. Surv. S.A. Bull. 40. MOORE, 0., 1870 Australian Mesozoid Geology and Palaeontology. kart. J. Geol. Soc. Lond. ; 26, REUSS, A.E., 1845 Die Versteinerungen der Boehmischen Kreideformation Ltataall. REIMS, A.E.p 1860» Die Foraminifera der Westphalischen Kreide formation. Sbr. Akad. Wiss. Wien Bd. 40, TAPPAN, H., New Cretaceous Index Foraminifers, from Northern Alaska, Bull.'UcS. Nat. Mus. 215,

15 \ n'.novisto -\ / ' 2 Hazelwood ' C Julia Creek Nelia^_ R - A \ Maxwelton^Richmond'.. Richmond ' N. Essex Glenalvon 0 \ 21 00' _ ia- Kyrk-vn 0^10^20^30^40^50 Kilometres' 1^1 10^20^30 Miles Stamfor d /, C / /^(.. / /^)^, ^X^..^)^! 4- BMR StratOgrophic bore holes 0 Water bores...\\.( ntrimo/..., '^ xi/ ;^14400o. ' FIG.1 LOCATION MAP ro accompany Record 1970/34^ F54/A/11

16 V) o m z 0. 0, c co oi^ -,^ 3 c. 3 = 7. 0 = co 0 al.^ el^le a. Er 3 0 co Mackunda^Formation z m zi,...i, IN) IV 8 (7, 03 = c.,, so Co ,..1, to _Ti a 6,-, ul 8 oo 0 oo A^LBI^AN a 0 I- 5 co cj) 0 o I. lo -.I oo js 0 N.) 0 VI VJ oc) 0 a. ANTRIM STATION Waterbore^No Queensland^(cuttings) o 0 o Trochammina^delicatulo^Crespin^ Textularia^cf^kurillinensis^Ludbrook^ Ammoboculites^succinctus^Crespin^ H edberg ella^inf racretaceo^gloessner^ Haplophrogmoides^cf orenatu's^crespin^ Fish^teeth 0 Rodiolaria 0 0 o noceramus^prisms^. 0 Megaspores bistribution Chart No.1 N.F. = No Foraminifera To accompany Record 1970/34^ M(P) 307

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19 z Ca us 0 Oa cr) 41 r ) o,...,,.c. CFI z?) u, (D 0 CA co -4 0 z?) (+1 (-14 LAI La U, LA 0o z.ti N -,1 Wallumbilla^Formation (approximately) CA 0. o APT^I^AN N cn o IV a) o r ) La 0 IV z :-n L. ALBIAN 1.9 ti) 7.4- C-n c; co a).11 r.) I I. N) N) (To Eli :A-, FC) 5-4 cri (A f \) o o HAZELWOOD STOCK ROUTE Bore^No Queensland^-^(cuttings) Haplophragmoides^audax^Ludbrook^ Ammobaculoides^romaensis^Crespin^1953 o Ammoboculites cf succinctus^crespin^ Hyperammina^sp. B 0 0 o Trochammino^cf^delicatulo^Crespin Ammobaculites^minimus^Crespin Ammodiscus^crefaceus^(Reuss)^ Dentalino^hamiltonensis^Ludbrook^ Marginulina^subcretaceo^Crespin^ Globulino^lacrima^(Reuss)^1845 o Ammoboculites^succinctus^Crespin^1963 o Reophax^geniculatus^Rudbrook^ Lenticulina^gunderbookaensis^Crespin^ Anomalinoides^mowsoni^(Crespin)^ Praebulimino^innaminckae^Ludbrook 1966 o Dentalina^santoodnoe^Ludbrook^ Psammosphaera^parva^Crespin^1963 o 0 o 0 o o Ostracoda sp Distribution Chart No. 4 N.F. No Foraminfera ^ M(P) 310 To accompany Record 1970/34

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22 ---~r-' Wallumbilla Formation. Jones Ranmoor Doncaster Member Valley Member Member A p T I A, N L. ALBIAN N Iv N N N Iv N N ~ B.M.R. RICHMOND No.1 --,I (J) U1 +- U.I N - C <D CD -J (J) U1 (;J N - 0 <D CD I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I Stratigraphic Scout Hole N N N N rv N N N N <D CD ---: (J) U1... U.I N - 0 <D CD -.J (J) U1 ~ U.I N ( core samples). -. ' Ammobocullte5 5ucci nctu5 Cre5pin Lenticulino 5p P5amm05phaera parva Cre5pin Ammobacullte5 frogmen tori u 5 CU5hman Textularia wllgunyaensls Cre5ptn Dentalina hom Iitonen51s Ludbrook Marginulina 5ubcretacea Crespin Trochammina delicatula Crespin I Ammobaculites mlnlmus Crespin I 0 0 Ammobaculites wallalensis Crespin Verneuil1na howchlni Crespin Saracenarr a kattarensls Ludbroak Gaudryina kurillinensis Ludbrook Trochammina minuta Crespin Globulina lacrima (Reu5s) Polmula 5p Va!vulineria crespinae Ludbrook 1966, 0 0 Saracenaria warella Ludbrook Hyperammina cf bark5dalei (Tappan) () Hyperammlna 5p B Ammobaculoide5 ramaen51s Cre5pln Ammobaculltes erectus Cre5pln 1963 f Ammodiscus cretaceus (Reus5) 1845 f I Reaphax genl culatu5 Ludbroak Haplaphragmoides audax Ludbraok Marginulinopsi5 au5traiis Crespin 1953 _. -' Nodosaria cf flexocarinata Khan HaplophragmOldes wi I gunyaensls Crespin I 0 cf dlsparil15 Cre5pi n 1963 Ammobaculltes 0 Ammobacu lites tarosus Loebllch and Tappan _ Ammobaculltes Implanus CrespI n _ Reophax cf torus Crespin 1963 ~ Ramullna tetrahedra lis Ludbrook Ammabaculltes australis (H0wchif)) 1895 _ Spiroplectammina aequabi lis Crespi n 1963 _ Gavelinella sp 0 0 Ammobaculltes fi sheri Crespin Pseudabolivina engeninensls Lud brook Gavelinella parvula (Crespin) Flabellammina alexanderi Cushman Saccammlna lagenaides (Crespin) Bigenerina laeblichae Crespin 1953 i 0 Saccammina cf. alexander! (Loebllch and Tappan) Pseudobolivina oodnadattensis Ludbrook Lenticulina cf austral i en5i s Crespin Dentalina cf. santoadnae Ludbrook I Lenticulina gunderbookaens i s Crespin Anamalinaides mawsoni (Crespi n) Haplophragmoi des dicklnsoni Crespin Ostracoda Radiolaria Fish Teeth Distribution Chart No.7 To accompany Record 1970/34 M(P) 313

23 Doncaster Member of the Wallumbillo Formation I A P T I A N B.M.R. RICHMOND No.2 N N N N N N (]1 ~ t>j N <.D (J:J ~ (j'j (]1 ~ t>j N - 0 <.D (J:J -.,j (j'j, Shallow Stratigraphic Hole 1 1 I I I I I 1 1 I I I 1 I I I I N N N N N N N <.D (J:J -.,j (core samples) (j'j (]1 ~ t>j N <.D (J:J ~ (j'j (]1 ~ t>j N - 0 ' ' \ Hyperammina cf. barksdalei (Tappan) Hyperammlna sp. B Ammabacu loi des romaensis Crespin Ammobaculites erectus Crespin Saccullnella sop Ammobacuhtes succlnctus Cres-pin G 0 Trochammina delicatula Crespin \. 0 0 Ammobaculites mlnimus Crespin Ammodiscus cretaceus (Reuss) Saccammina lagenoides- (Crespin) , o 0 0 Dentalina hamiltonensis LudbrOOk Ammobaculites australis (Howchin) Reophax genlculatus Ludbrook Pseudobolivina engeninensi s Ludbrook Marginulina subcretacea Crespin Astacolus howchini Ludbrook Lenticulina gunderbookaensis Crespin Lentlculina sp Ammobaculltes wallalensis Crespin Gavelinella sp Haplophragmoides audax Ludbrook 1966 ' Flabellammina a!exanderi Cushman ~ 0 Dentalina santoodnae Ludbrook Anomalinoides mawsoni (Crespin) Haplophragmoi des dickinsoni Crespin 1963 i 0 0 Valvulineria crespinae Ludbrook 1966 I 0 Haplophragmoides wilgunyoensis Crespin 1963 I 0 Ammomarginulina sop. 0 Nodosaria cf, fle)(ocarinata Khan Psammosphaera parva Crespin Ammobaculites fisheri Crespin Ammobaculites fragmentarius Cushman Lentlculina cf. australiensis Crespin Globulina lacrima (Reuss) ~ Bigenerina loeblichae Crespin 1953 _ Verneuilina howchini Crespin _ Dorothia pupa (Reuss) Pseudonodosaria sp Marginulinopsis sp I Saraceno ria kattarensis Ludbrook Dentalina hamiltonensis Ludbrook Gavelinella parvula (Crespin) Marginulinopsis australis Crespin 0 Lenttculino longi cos ro to (Moore) Palmula sp. 0 Textularia kurillinensis Ludbrook Fish Teeth Radiolaria Ostracoda 0 0 Echinoid plates.- Distribution Chart NO.8 To accompany Record 1970/34